Hey, Northside……Beer Me!

When the afternoon of October 3rd came to a close, there were many Iowans feeling on top of their game. From 11am to 4pm, we enjoyed one of the most perfect autumn days you could ever ask for. A crisp morning, warm mid-day and the slight coolness of the evening settling in. The Northside Oktoberfest opened with an army beer tents stocked with some of the finest local and national craft brews. Midway through the celebration, we craft beer enthusiasts enjoyed the narrow Hawkeye victory over those Badgers from Madison.

It was a proud feeling I had all day. My old neighborhood being showcased for travelers and locals alike. The streets were blocked off and streams of beer-goers flooded them. The vendors were plentiful and the brief lines moved quickly. Monie and I started out by seeking brews we never had before. Each tent had an expert who was willing to tell us about their varieties and engage in some small talk about their trade. They were friendly and ready to engage in any conversation you had ready for them. IPA this coffee stout that. Cranberry ale here and English lager there. The old Northside was bustling with good times and a perfect environment an all afternoon beer tasting. There was also a great spread of non-alcoholic sodas, kid games, and activities that created a fun environment for families.

Just one of the many snacks found during Oktoberfest. The Scotch Egg. Sausage wrapped around a boiled egg and deep fried. Beer food at its finest.

Beer was the mission for the majority of the patrons on this day. However, there was the annual Iowa-Wisconsin game being played out that weighed heavy on many of our minds. The Northside Oktoberfest had that covered too. The game kicked-off at 11am and supplied a great backdrop on the day. Hundreds of fans sipped on their suds and roared as the Badgers failed on a 4th and 2 conversion late in the fourth quarter. The hometown team went up to Madison and gave them a good ole Iowa thumping. The celebration was on and Oktoberfest was still going strong.

Roars could be heard all day long throughout the afternoon as fans stood side by side and watched the Hawkeyes beat the Badgers 10-6.Breweries came from near like our new friends at Kalona Brewing Company in Kalona, IAhttp://www.kalonabrewing.com/And the breweries came from far. New Belgium was just one of many vendors that brought their craft to Iowa City on this day.

I love seeing my hometown of Iowa City come alive, especially when its on the historic neighborhood I’m so proud to have grown up in. More and more people are discovering the Northside every year and bringing a new fever pitch to one of Iowa City’s original settlements. The local restaurants and taverns were busy and celebrating the amazing weekend we were all enjoying. There’s no place like home. Especially when it’s stocked with thousands of gallons of fine craft beer. Thank you Northside!